UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launches Mission "Senehjori" for Assam Muga Silk

Q1. In the context of Indian sericulture, the term 'Som' (Persea bombycina) refers to:

  • A. The primary host plant of the Muga silkworm
  • B. The primary host plant of the Tropical Tasar silkworm
  • C. The primary host plant of the Eri silkworm
  • D. The primary host plant of the Mulberry silkworm

Q2. With reference to the varieties of silk produced in India, consider the following statements:

  1. Muga silk is produced by the silkworm Antheraea assamensis and the species is endemic to the Brahmaputra valley.
  2. Tropical Tasar silkworm (Antheraea mylitta) is reared on Som and Soalu trees in Assam and the adjoining North-Eastern states.
  3. Eri silk, produced by Samia ricini, is the only commercially produced silk in India that does not require killing the pupa for extracting the filament.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Which one of the following best describes the Central Silk Board (CSB)?

  • A. A statutory body established in 1948 under the Ministry of Textiles for research, development and standardization in the silk industry
  • B. An attached office under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region coordinating sericulture clusters
  • C. A registered apex cooperative federation of silk weavers under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
  • D. An autonomous research council under the Department of Science and Technology for silkworm genetics

Q4. The North Eastern Council (NEC), which functions as the statutory regional planning body for the North Eastern Region, was constituted under which one of the following Acts?

  • A. North Eastern Council Act, 1971
  • B. North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971
  • C. Inter-State Council Order, 1990
  • D. States Reorganisation Act, 1956

Q5. Consider the following statements comparing two centres associated with the textile and cultural geography of Assam:

  1. Sualkuchi, located in Kamrup district on the banks of the Brahmaputra, is a major Muga silk weaving cluster of Assam.
  2. Majuli, bounded by the Brahmaputra in the south and the Subansiri river in the north, is the nerve centre of the Vaishnavite Satra tradition founded by Srimanta Sankardeva.
  3. The Central Muga Research Institute of the Central Silk Board, which has isolated the best muga silkworm races, is located at Sualkuchi rather than in Jorhat district.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. The Geographical Indications Registry, which administers the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, functions under which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Textiles
  • B. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • C. Ministry of Culture
  • D. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises